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"Why is it your fault?" Penny asks.
"We… we think whoever shot at her thought it was me. Not that we look the same, but likely, they were told to fire at the lead actress, and instead of me, she was hurt."
A furrow appears between Penny’s eyebrows. "You think it’s the same people who kidnapped you, who shot at you?"
"It’s possible." Luca pulls me closer. "And while I’m sorry Olivia was hurt, I’m glad it wasn’t you on that stage."
A shiver spirals up my spine, and I melt into his side.
"It’s not right. It should be her on the stage tomorrow."
"It was supposed to be you." Penny props an arm on her hip. "And William decided he wanted Olivia to play the part. Now, it’s back to you. Maybe it’s fate and you’re the one who should be on that stage tomorrow." She raises a shoulder.
Just like it’s fate for me to be with him?
"What do you think?" I turn to Luca. "Should I go on that stage tomorrow?"
He cups my cheek. "I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be worried if you did. Whoever shot at you is still out there. I’ve already put my men on trying to find out who did it, but the perpetrator is likely long gone. Even if we do find him, it may not be within the next twenty-four hours."
"What are you saying?"
"That you should fulfill your heart’s desire and star in the premiere tomorrow. And I’ll make sure that the security around the theater is so strong that nothing and no one can get in or out without my knowing."
"Thank you, Luca." I sway closer to him when footsteps sound behind me.
Luca glances past me and frowns. "Massimo?"
I turn in time to see Massimo barreling into the room. "Is what I heard true?" He scans Luca’s features. "Is she hurt?"
"It was a flesh wound. The bullet didn’t hit anything vital," Luca responds.
"Grazie a dio!" Massimo exclaims.
"She hurt her face, though. The doctor fears it may scar, but he can’t be sure."
"She’s alive, though? That’s the most important thing." Massimo rolls his shoulders. "Can I see her?"
"The doctor said she’s resting, and we can see her tomorrow," Penny replies.
Massimo walks over to a chair and lowers his bulk into it. "I’ll wait."
I exchange glances with Luca.
"Are you sure? You can come back in the morning," Luca murmurs.
Massimo kicks out his feet and pulls out his phone. "I’ll wait. I can work from here as well as I can anywhere else. And I’ll feel better if I’m here, in case something comes up. Why don’t you all go on home?"
I hesitate.
"I’ll call you if anything comes up. Also..." He glances between me and Luca. "Isn’t this your first night as a married couple? You don’t want to spend it in a hospital waiting room."
Half an hour later, we draw into the driveway of Luca’s home. My eyes are drooping, and when he comes around to open the door on my side and scoops me up in his arms, I don’t protest. He carries me inside, then up the stairs and to his room. He walks into the bathroom, sets me down on the edge of the bath tub, and runs a bath. Then he pulls me up to my feet and grips the bottom of my blouse. I raise my arms and he pulls it off of me and tosses it aside. I notice the blood on the fabric. Her blood. Olivia’s blood has been on my clothes all this time. I had noticed it, but it hadn’t quite registered.
"It could have been me who was shot." My knees tremble. "Me who could have collapsed on the prop and hurt my face and—"
"But it didn’t happen." He unhooks my bra, tosses it aside, then helps me out of my skirt. He pulls my panties down my hips. I step out of them. He doesn’t spare a glance at my breasts or the flesh between my legs. Should I be relieved or disappointed? Maybe he’s not going to fuck me tonight, after all.
Then he shrugs off his jacket, begins to unbutton his shirt, and all thoughts drain from my mind. He undoes the last button, pulls off his shirt, and drapes it over a chair.
